On Choosing a Therapist: Part One

Exploring the basics

I thought it might be helpful to spend some time on the important topic of choosing your therapist. Deciding you would like some support can be a huge step, and choosing which direction to move in can feel challenging. This post aims to clarify things a little.

Here, I’ll offer some pointers on the basics, including understanding levels of qualification, therapeutic approaches, and practitioner experience. I’ll also share some thoughts on what might work well for you, and highlight how different approaches might inform your decision.

To start with, are you looking for a counsellor or a therapist? What even is the difference? In truth, although a psychotherapist will generally have received more extensive training than a counsellor, the terms are often used interchangeably in the UK.

A simple rule of thumb is that a counsellor’s minimum qualification is a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Many newly qualified counsellors begin their work within an agency, which can help ensure the support you receive is well held, before moving into private practice. Further training at Levels 5, 6, or 7 deepens a counsellor’s knowledge and may be required for those offering specialised services. A Level 6 qualification is typically a BA (Hons) degree, and Level 7 is a master’s degree (MSc).

In addition to how qualified a counsellor is, you might be wondering how long they’ve been qualified, and what oversight counsellors receive.

Ethical practice requires practitioners to attend regular supervision. These sessions are confidential — your name is never mentioned — but they help ensure your counsellor works with you in a safe and professional way. Counsellors should also belong to a professional body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS). The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is another example.

If the practitioner you are considering is appropriately qualified and registered with an ethical body, you can feel confident that they’ve received suitable training and that their work is guided by clear professional standards.

In the next post, we’ll look at different therapeutic approaches and how they might shape what you experience in counselling.